Laundry Buttons

February 23, 2008

This is my kind of Saturday. I crawled out of bed at 9:45 a.m., the coffee was made, within minutes Brian had made two waffles and served them with orange juice. Pregnancy definitely has it's perks.

Now to the sad, horrifying news. My 4 GB iPod is dead. (you know, the one I got for free???) Like Dead. Totally Dead. Up and gone to heaven dead.

The last we listened to it was in the car during Christmas, then it sat in the car, where it died.

I brought it into the house a few weeks ago and went to the Apple site where they tell you all sorts of tips and tricks (think CPR, defibrillators, ICU, etc.) to bring your iPod back to life.

But nothing worked.

So, Brian took it to the Apple Doctor yesterday. (where they require an appointment and everything and just like the doctor's office, there was even a wait.) The doctor determined that somewhere along the way, my precious, pink iPod became wet which corroded it's insides.

There was nothing they could do.

They did offer the same model iPod to Brian for $100, but he declined knowing that his wife (me) would probably want to go ahead and upgrade, and why wouldn't she? She's a wise-tech savvy gal.

So now the question is: how tech savvy am I?

Do I go with the 8 GB iPod to listen to music, podcasts, add some pictures and maybe even watch movies?

OR for another $100, do I really upgrade with the 8 GB iPod Touch? Where I can store pictures, get WIFI, (where available), utilize a full organizing calendar, have an address book, maps, calculator, games and listen to music. Just to name a few of the features....

But do I need all of that? Why wouldn't I?

What's a tech savvy girl to do?

By the way, if you are wondering how tech savvy I really am, if you were to ask me how big a gig was, I would tell you it depended on how popular the band was.

So, I'm not that tech savvy.

________________

*UPDATED HERE!* I'll have you know that after I typed out this post listing the features and benefits of the Touch, I knew I had to have.

November 17, 2007

Recently, Crooked Eyebrow turned me on to Paul Potts by showing this video on her blog. I will be forever in her debt because although this video is absolutely amazing, emotional and outstanding, his album and every other performance are just as mesmerizing. I purchased his album last night and I can't even express to you how great it is. He's so good for my soul.

October 12, 2007

This has been an interesting day. I've experienced the Good. And the Bad. The Ying. And the Yang.

Let's start from the beginning:

I woke up early to take a shower. Was running on time.Was stopped by a train, that stopped itself on the tracks. Was late to school.

Got home.Checked blood pressure. It was very high.Called my doctor, called back, wants me to keep my BP meds the same, but lower my thyroid medicine, even though those levels were fine. What a nightmare.

Went to the mall. Walked up to the concierge to get a double car stroller thing, the bald, gay man behind the counter told me Ariel needed to stand under the kangaroo to make sure she wasn't too tall for the stroller, he found she was an inch too tall and refused to give me a stroller. I wanted to stick my designer bag up his $%#, but didn't because I love my bag. I did angrily say in an angry devil voice "IT'S ONLY AN INCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" And walked away. To my friends who live in the area, feel free to walk by the Very Powerful Bald Gay Man the next time you are at THE MALL and throw gummy bears at him. (and then tell me about it)

For those thinking I don't need a stroller for one crazy 3 year old and a lunatic 4 year old, you're wrong, my blood pressure is high, that's why I wanted one. Okay? Now stop judging me!

Anyway, I came home from that delightful adventure getting costumes at the Disney store and battling Very Power Bald Gay Man and saw that I won a $100 gift card for Target over at Chased by Children. I mean, seriously?!?! MOI? I'm not sure what I'll buy. I'd like to buy something nice for my house, like a piece of furniture or something for my walls, that way when I look at it I could think of Jenny and her fabulous hair, er, I mean personality. If Target sold Tattoos I would get one that said "I heart Jenny from Chicago," but luckily they don't.

Then I was putting the lunatic and the crazy one down for their naps and my friend, Lynette called me and told me to contact the Oprah show because they were accepting requests to get on the show when Seal is on. For those that do not know, I ADORE and worship the ground Seal walks on and always have. I love Seal. Brian loves Seal. My kids love Seal. So, please, won't you cross your fingers for me? I even had an online "conversation" with him about how I used to sing his songs to my kids as lullabies and he said it inspired him to do a lullaby album, that he had always considered doing it in the past and this was a good push. I mean, no one deserves this more then me, okay?

Lynette is an Oprah Show Guru. She' s been there four times in three years and has taken me twice. Apparently two of the times she was mad at me. The first time we went we got free stuff, like dinnerware, wine glasses and votive holders. The next time we went we had breakfast with Oprah, she served us croissants flown in from France and cupcakes flown in from L.A. And coffee so strong my eyeballs popped out of my head.

It was worth it. Who needs eyeballs?

Speaking of Lynette, she's a dear friend of mine. I wouldn't trade her for the world. Well, unless the world was made of chocolate, then I would. But she understands. It's important for me to tell you that she has started blogging. She started before but took a break, (for eight months) and is back on it again. So won't you pay her a visit and say "hello?" If you are really friendly to her, she may come clean your house. Not that I would know. ahem.

Tomorrow, Brian and I are leaving for a lovely Fall getaway and won't be back until Tuesday night. We are going without children. We are going with my sister and her husband. It works like this:

We stay at a condo on a golf course.The boys get an unlimited golf packageThey drink ridiculous amounts of beerSister and I shop and eat and shop and then eat ice creamWe have dinnerGet drunkgo to bed.Wake up and repeat.

This is a annual tradition, we travel to southern Indiana. My sister lives in Louisville, so it's great to spend this one and one time with her. This is our seventh year in a row. This is the first time since 2002 that one of us hasn't been pregnant or nursing.

So, if you don't hear from me, that's where I'll be. But maybe you will. Who knows?

July 23, 2007

Today started out running a ton of errands for the 5K Run, although it was productive, it was tiring and my kids drove me crazy and I just wanted to go home or go to a fair or do something besides WAITING FOR SPONSORS.

Which aren't calling, or e-mailing or sending checks. At least to me. (despite additional attempts today and over the weekend. whatever, y'all. what.ever.)

I'm so aggravated, I feel defeated, I feel like a failure, I'm very upset tonight. This event is so good, everything is right, great location, great logo, awesome prizes, incredible entertainment, but I just can't get THREE BUSINESSES TO DONATE $300 so we can give our runners t-shirts and I'm just very upset over this. I shed tears tonight, people, TEARS. That's doesn't happen too often. (usually only when I'm out of queso or when I watch Steel Magnolias. Shut up, you cry, too.)

I almost didn't blog tonight because who wants to read someone whining about some charity work gone potentially bad, but I am blogging because this is my life right now, so therefore I blog about it.

Oh and did I mention my air conditioning is not working? I heart my piece of crap house.

ON TO THE GOOD SIDE OF THINGS, because there are always good things if you look hard enough....Brian is home safely from his trip, after a cancelled flight he came home tonight and the kids turned into crazy, hyper children, they were so excited to see him. So hyper that he immediately put them to bed.

I LOVE MY iPOD so much. I'm really getting a ton of use out of it. Brian bought me speakers for it last week and now I love it even more!

And a thyroid update, I did get my thyroid test results back a week ago Friday and they came back fine, which sucks. (nice attitude, huh?) I do plan to get into my doctor to discuss some of my symptoms because I am still tired and totally on the crazy side. Totally.

At least I can admit it, right?

And, for those wondering, I loved the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert, I'm so glad I went. The concert was very long, I went to bed at 3:00 a.m. that night, but it was worth it. I didn't know that our seats were in a suite, which equals free drinks and food and a DESSERT CART! Hello?!?!?! Then, Christine and Shanlie, who worked the dessert cart were super nice. Christine told me I was too young to be married and I was all like "HUH?? whatchoo talkin' about willis??" Seriously, I explained that I was thirty and had two children and had been married for eight years and she said I looked much younger, like 22. OMG, I almost kissed her. (I may have...I said free drinks, remember?) Anyway, both girls were super duper nice. (by the way, I do not say "super duper" in real life.) I love the songs "I Need You" and "Like We Never Loved At All." Love those songs. They are totally on my iTunes.

Oh and I was given a gift at the concert, too. (by our very generous host)

I did get a t-shirt after all. And there are more pictures, but they are on someone else's computer and that person is in DisneyWorld, so I took a picture of the shirt hanging in my room, rather than showing you a picture of me in the shirt which is kinda better because this way you can't see my rolls hanging over my jeans. Which is a good thing.

July 13, 2007

Before I head out for the weekend, (out meaning away from Typepad), I wanted to say thank you for your well wishes regarding my thyroid stuff. I have not heard anything yet from the doctors which is a pretty good sign that my levels are "normal." However, I did call to make sure and left a message, so I still wait.

Secondly, thank you for your feedback on the hardwood vs. carpet flooring. I can't believe how many people picked hardwood, although I do not blame you. This is something that may occur over the next few months...or may not. Depends on how many more times I go to Target and spend $90 on nothing. Which should be about once or twice a week. damn you, Target, making me spend money on nothing.

Anyway, tomorrow night I am going to see some country singers in concert. Which is funny because I do not listen to country music. I did, however, listen to a Bucky Covington song yesterday. Anyway, one of my dearest, oldest friends called me the other day and left a voice mail about going to a concert with her on Saturday night. To watch country singers. Now, it's not that I don't like country music, it's just that I don't like it. You see the difference? I like some songs, but most songs I don't like. But whatever. My friend does not listen to country music either, she just happened upon the tickets. This should be fun night. She and I both have two kids and getting out together all night long in Chicago, while listening to loud, but strange music should prove to a good time, I'm sure of it.

I think.

This is who will be performing.

Do you know these people? Faith Hill and Tim McGraw? I saw them on Oprah once, cute couple, they are. I remember they sneak away from their children at home to do the dirty dirty. Which must be difficult considering they live in a 10,000 square foot house with nannies n' all. Man I sound bitter, don't I? Really, I am not.

In all seriousness, knowing my friend and I, we will probably leave the concert wearing FAITH AND TIM shirts, clutching onto EVERY CD THEY HAVE EVER PRODUCED while shouting WE LOVE YOU at their tour bus, while singing, well, I don't know what we'll be singing because I don't know what they sing. Yet. But I'm sure we will tomorrow, after the concert. Anyway, we'll sing their songs all the way home.

April 22, 2007

Last week, while driving Ariel to school, somehow the music got switched over to the cassette player. My initial thought was "what's this? I have a cassette player?" My second thought being "what is that familiar 'twang' emitting from my speakers?" It was Randy Travis. A Randy Travis cassette, that I put into the cassette player a long, long time ago.

I don't listen to country music, but I don't hate country music, it's just not what gets my booty shaking, and y'all, I like my booty shaking. But when I was a pre-teen, I fell head over heels IN LOVE with Randy Travis. The best part is that my family enjoyed his music, as well. Well, mostly, quite honestly my Dad would go outside and smoke cigarettes during our Randy Travis rock-a-thons. He did not like Randy Travis, my Dad is a rocker at heart and I'm pretty sure he was dismayed at my choice of music at that point in my life. Nonetheless, we would wash dinner dishes to great lyrics like "operator, can you send me, to 1982, I need to make apologies, for what I didn't do." or among my personal favorites:"I need friends who don't pay their bills on home computers, and they buy their coffee beans already ground....you think it's disgraceful that they drink three dollar wine, but a better class of losers, suits me fine." classic, just classic.

I even entered a contest to win his guitar. My mother picked up enough postcards so I could send in one hundred entries, and I did send in one hundred entries. I didn't win and I was not happy, I thought "how many people are really listening to this guy?" I guess more than I thought.

Anyway, back to last week, while driving my car. I can't get over how music can take you back to a certain place in your life. I felt myself feel better, I felt my soul soothe, thanks to his deep melodic tones. And then I heard the lyrics that changed my day, maybe even my week. "my hearts on a roll, I'm easy in my soul, there's no hurry, no worry, things are going my way." And well, I felt so much better after hearing that.

That day I cleaned out my van. I mean, CLEANED OUT MY VAN! I found things that have been in there for too long, like my pregnancy belts that held the monitors in place when attending my non-stress test over THREE YEARS AGO. And an Entertainment Book from 2005. Broken sunglasses and strange toys. I threw everything out. But I most certainly did not throw out my Randy Travis music.